He assured me that there was imminent danger that the
convention would take place; that the temptations were such as might
debauch many from their fidelity to the Union; and that, to enable
its friends to make head against it, the repeal of the embargo was
absolutely necessary. I expressed a just sense of the merit of this
information, and of the importance of the disclosure to the safety
and even the salvation of our country: and however reluctant I was to
abandon the measure (a measure which persevered in a little longer, we
had subsequent and satisfactory assurance would have effected its object
completely), from that moment, and influenced by that information, I saw
the necessity of abandoning it, and instead of effecting our purpose by
this peaceful weapon, we must fight it out, or break the Union. I then
recommended to my friends to yield to the necessity of a repeal of the
embargo, and to endeavor to supply its place by the best substitute, in
which they could procure a general concurrence.
I cannot too often repeat, that this statement is not pretended to be
in the very words which passed; that it only gives faithfully the
impression remaining on my mind. The very words of a conversation are
too transient and fugitive to be so long retained in remembrance. But
the substance was too important to be forgotten, not only from the
revolution of measures it obliged me to adopt, but also from the
renewals of it in my memory on the frequent occasions I have had of
doing justice to Mr.
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